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What does it mean to be born again?

John 3:5

Jesus replied, “I assure you, no one can enter the kingdom of God without being born of water and the Spirit....”

 

Main points:

  • Salvation has always been by grace and never by works

  • The new birth is Spiritual work from within not outward rituals

  • Every man has a choice: to be born again or not


 

The question is important because unless one has been born again they can never even see, let alone enter the kingdom of God (John 3:3, 5, 7)

What did Jesus not mean when He said “Born Again”?

John 3: 1-8

Sometimes in order to understand what something means it is helpful to determine what it does not mean. The Bible teaches that being “Born again” does not mean several things.

  1. It does not mean being religious (John 3: 1-7)

a. Nicodemus was already religious (John 3:1). He was a Jew. Beyond that, he was a Pharisee. Beyond that he was a leader of the Pharisees!

b. Nicodemus’ religion was not good enough. Jesus still told him that he had to be born again (John 3: 3-7).

c. The Apostle Paul, after being born again, stated that in terms of eternal benefit, all of his pre – born again religion was worthless (Phil 3: 1-9)

  1. It does not mean being baptized.

a. In this chapter the requisite for salvation is belief, not baptism (John 3: 16 18; 36)

b. Baptism is a work and as such cannot save a person (Eph 2: 8-9; Rom 6:23?)

c. The passage used by some to teach the necessity of baptism actually teaches that belief, not baptism, is the requirement for Salvation (Mark 16:15-16)

  1. It does not mean reformation.

Reformation is the notion that one can ‘turn over a new leaf’ and get to God. The Bible teaches that this is impossible.

a. Reformation does not erase past sins (Rom 3:23; James 2:10; Heb 9:22)

b. Reformation does not produce works of righteousness that please God (Isaiah 64:6)

c. Reformation does not save (Titus 3:5)


What did Jesus mean when He said be born again?

 

 

  1. Being “Born Again” requires a second birth (John 3:3-7). Our first (physical) birth is not sufficient. A second (spiritual) birth is required. Verse 3 says that in order to see the kingdom of God one must be born again. Verse 4 tells us that this was not speaking of a return to the womb. Verse 7 re-emphasizes the absolute necessity of being born again

  2. Being born again requires a spiritual birth (John 3:3-7).

a. Our first birth is corrupted by our sin nature, called the “flesh”

Romans 5:12-19 – all have sinned

John 6:63 – the flesh counts for nothing (the flesh is our sin nature)

Romans 7:18 – nothing good resides in the sin nature

Romans 8:9 – the flesh or sin nature cannot please God

Galatians 5:19-22 – the works of the flesh are awful and will keep one from inheriting heaven.

b. Jesus contrasts the physical birth with the spiritual birth – “born of the flesh vs. born of the spirit” John 3:3-6

c. Jesus describes the spiritual birth as being like the wind; invisible except for its results (John 3:8)

  1. Being born again requires a new, life giving birth

a. Prior to being born again one is spiritually dead because of sin (Rom 6:23)

b. After being born again one becomes a new creation spiritually (2 Cor 5:17; John 10:10)

  1. Being born again requires a choice (John 3:16; John 1:12-13). John Wesley at the end of his life was asked “why do you always preach ‘ye must be born again’?” “ it’s simple” he replied “because ye must be born again”


Just as there was a definite date, time and place of your physical birth, there is a definite date, time and place of one’s spiritual birth.

  • Do you know the date, time and place of your spiritual birth?

  • Do you know if you have been born again?

  • If not, will you choose to be born again now?

Someone once observed that the three most important letters in the English dictionary are N.O.W “Now is the time of God’s favour, now is the day of salvation” (2 Cor 6:2)


If you want to be born again say this prayer

“Lord Jesus, I confess that I am a sinner. I confess my sins and repent from the works of darkness. Forgive my sins and wash me in your blood. I receive the grace of forgiveness through your blood. Come into my heart and be my personal Saviour. I receive the promise of your Word that whosoever calls upon your name shall be saved. I also receive the peace, liberty and joy of your salvation. Thank you for making me your child, heavenly Father, through your son, Jesus. Use me all the days of my life. Amen.”